From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Test report on various vehicle components including the fan, frame, windscreen wiper, and bodywork, with final performance metrics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\2\ 02-page050 | |
| Date | 21th January 1929 guessed | |
| -7- FAN TO LOP.E54738. We have had no trouble with the fan. It is inclined to boom at medium speeds. Lubrication of the fan spindle is O.K. and spring loaded arrangement has functioned satisfactorily. FRAME & FITTINGS TO LCP. F55970. The frame and fittings show no signs of weakness as far as we can ascertain. The jellying of the front was considerably reduced by running with front tyres at a pressure of 30 lbs. BOSCH DOUBLE WINDSCREEN WIPER. This failed entirely half way through the test. Damp had entered and caused a bearing bush to swell, this was eased but since the wiper has been very noisy. The mounting of the motor using rubber bushes through the windscreen insulates the earth return. We found that the spindle working the wiper and touching the framework was the only earth connection the motor was getting. ELECTRICAL FITTINGS. The green lamp system when car was first brought out did not function correctly. After being corrected it has shown when the battery was charged but could not be switched out. We may here mention that on IE-2K car the green light system has worked perfectly. STARTER MOTOR STANDARD. This has given no trouble whatsoever. ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED DIPPING HEAD LAMPS. These have been an entire failure. A considerable amount of improvement is needed before they can be contemplated. SPOT LIGHT. We had the same trouble with the spot light as on the S.S. with a subframe, there is no direct earth. This must be taken into consideration when fitting spot lights on to the bodywork. We have used it extensively and found it invaluable. BODYWORK GENERALLY. Bodywork generally is very poor. The doors and windows rattle very bad. The driver's seat is not comfortable, the position being to near the steering wheel. The draughts from the doors are very bad. Floor boards have contracted and are far from being gas tight. The rear floor board fouled the propellor shaft and had to be cut away. The asbestos lagging under the rear board quickly became loose and was lost. Total mileage of car: 7,500. Bijur lubrication. Bijur pump used every 200 miles. Average petrol consumption during the test: 15.03 MPG. Average oil consumption: 1490.89 M.P.G. Total weight of car (No passengers): 1 ton 13 cwt. 2 qts. 13 lbs. Test carried out with approx. 120 lbs. ballast in rear. Dunlop fort tyres W.B. 31 x 6.00 Reinforced Cord. Average life of tyres: Front: 7641. Rear: 5696. JAH. | ||